"Gidget" is a film best for younger audiences, though I mildly enjoyed it and I'm an old fart. In its day, it apparently was VERY popular and resulted in many follow-up films and TV series....though not starring Sandra Dee like in this film.
This story is set in the summer before her senior year of high school. Early in the story, Francis (Dee) is rescued when she gets entangled in the kelp...and she is smitten both by Moondoggie (James Darren) and his surf board. Soon, she decides to get her own surfboard and is now hanging out with all the guys on the beach...guys who dub her 'Gidget'...a 'girl midget' since she's so small and young. The rest of the film is about her trying to both fit in with these guys as well as bag Moondoggie.
In many ways, this film seems like one of those 1960s surfer movies but without all the bad comedy. This is definitely a good thing and the film is charming and pleasant viewing.
This story is set in the summer before her senior year of high school. Early in the story, Francis (Dee) is rescued when she gets entangled in the kelp...and she is smitten both by Moondoggie (James Darren) and his surf board. Soon, she decides to get her own surfboard and is now hanging out with all the guys on the beach...guys who dub her 'Gidget'...a 'girl midget' since she's so small and young. The rest of the film is about her trying to both fit in with these guys as well as bag Moondoggie.
In many ways, this film seems like one of those 1960s surfer movies but without all the bad comedy. This is definitely a good thing and the film is charming and pleasant viewing.